New Innovations in Electric Commercial Vehicles

For Maxus, innovation is our driving force. Since launching our first electric vehicle we have developed a reputation as innovators who are leading the transition to greater use of electric vehicles and vans. Winning multiple GreenFleet Awards, including Electric Vehicle Manufacturer and LCV Manufacturer of the Year, is a testament to our innovative approach and we are determined to keep pushing boundaries and accelerating change for our customers.

Advances in technology are redefining electric commercial vehicles

With every new update in technology our engineers get closer to bridging the gap between reality and science-fiction. Today’s Electric Vans are connected, intelligent and communicative. Always-on, they protect drivers and the public, monitor performance and self-check parts, and flag any maintenance needs in advance. 

Every new Maxus electric vehicle comes with telematic software as standard. Developed in partnership with LEVL, our Intelligence Onboard software provides insights through the Geotab platform, including near-real-time data on battery status, energy use and cost, live location, charging performance and range efficiency.

We’re moving towards a future where electric vehicles are better connected. Internet-connected vans, like our eDeliver 9, already have the power to communicate with other vans and IoT devices. As we continue to further adopt AI, we’re developing the fleet to allow you to compete.

Navigating the path to self-driving electric commercial vehicles

As innovators in the field of electric vehicles, our logical next step is to produce a self-driving version. Building on our recent partnership with TuSimple, developers of the world’s most advanced self-driving technology, we’ve already started testing the first generation of Maxus autonomous vehicles, using LiDAR software for onboard guidance. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), works like radar, emitting laser pulses to map your surroundings, gauge distances and safely static and moving objects in your driving line.

In the meantime, we continue to make improvements to our Advanced Driver Assistant System (ADAS). Available as standard in Maxus electric commercial vehicles, ADAS is a partial automation system that protects your business from accidents that tend to arise from driver fatigue and human error.

‘Collision avoidance’ and ‘pedestrian detection’ are two of the highest ranking benefits of ADAS to fleets, according to 2022 research from the Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer. Given the importance of accident-prevention, Maxus engineers continue to upgrade our ADAS features, adding innovations like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and night vision systems.

The convergence of electric and intelligent commercial vehicles

Cruise control, lane-change assist, autonomous braking, speed alerts, blind-area monitoring, parking sensors, reversing camera, dashboard touchscreen with smartphone-mirroring: our new eDeliver 9 is quite the improvement on the traditional work van (RAC review, September 2023).

Constant innovation means that Maxus Electrical Commercial Vehicles are packed with features that help UK businesses move forward, keeps our roads safer for drivers and pedestrians, and keep vans on the road and out of repair shops.

This is just the start. Thanks to advances in wireless and IoT technology, 

electric vehicles are communicating with the world around them and learning to make decisions by themselves.

Electric Commercial Vehicles and the Future of Transportation

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) technology takes driving to a new level, literally allowing your vans to see around corners. A dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) protocol allows moving vehicles to talk to one another, update their drivers as to what’s ahead and even take evasive action.

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows electric cars in your fleet to communicate with the power grid and sell excess electricity back to the grid when cars are idle.

V2X is where we want to get to. ‘Vehicle-to-Everything’ will allow transport infrastructure, such as traffic lights, meters and charging stations to speak with your fleet. The future is a place where traffic flows faster with fewer stop-starts, less energy waste, and easier parking and refuelling.

Keeping your fleet at the forefront of EV innovation

Opened at our UK headquarters, in 2021, the Maxus Technical Training Academy is a showcase for electric vehicle innovation and a centre of excellence for Electric Van technicians. Hundreds of mechanics have already graduated from our courses and learned skills that are fundamental to the UK’s electric transition and future prosperity.

As AI and IoT go mainstream, Maxus intend to keep our customers in pole position by incorporating developing technology where appropriate. Find out how innovations like Intelligence Onboard have the power to transform your business performance. Contact us today to discuss the Maxus range of electric vans in the UK. Maxus electric vans come with a five-year vehicle warranty and an eight-year warranty on the high-voltage battery. We also offer nationwide breakdown assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.